A 17-year-old teen in California had a close encounter with a black bear while walking in the woods near Lake George in Mammoth. The teen and their friend attempted to retreat from the bear, but their path was blocked by fallen tree branches, so they did not want to turn their backs on the bear. Video taken by the teen shows the bear approaching them and pawing at the friend. The bear eventually leaves after the friend swipes away its paw. The video has gained over 4.4 million views on TikTok since it was posted in late July.
According to the National Parks Service, bear attacks are rare, as bears that approach people are mainly interested in protecting their food, cubs, or space. If one encounters a black bear, they should remain calm and speak in a low, controlled manner so as not to provoke the bear. If a black bear attacks, the NPS advises to fight back instead of playing dead and to try to find safety in a secure location as soon as possible. It is important to handle black bear encounters carefully and to always be aware of how to react based on the situation to ensure the safety of both humans and bears.
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